I got a question from one of my students Med who asked how to use chromatics in his solos.

Great question!

I see chromatics as the glue which connects phrases and lines to make your solos more interesting and exciting.

Django used chromatics and we all do.

Here’s a cool Mike Stern (jazz fusion legend who is one of my favourite guitarists) lick which uses chromatics and it’s something which when played in a gypsy jazz context will add a lot of hipness to your solos.

Here’s the lick starting on the D on the top e string 10th fret:

1. D 10th fret
2. F 13th fret
3. D# 11th fret
4. D 10th fret

then slide position down 1 fret and play the same pattern:

1. C# 9th fret
2. E 12th fret
3. D 10th fret
4. C# 9th fret

then slide position down 1 fret and play the same pattern:

1. C 8th fret etc, etc, etc, etc,

UNTIL you reach a note that you’re aiming for or a note which sounds good and fits the harmony of the chord you’re playing over.